One of the most special moments in my life: Sanju Samson recalls his Rajasthan Royals trials story with Rahul Dravid

One of the finest players in the country, Sanju Samson made his Indian Premier League debut in 2013 for Rajasthan Royals. The 2014 edition of the tournament proved to be a breakthrough year for him, as he garnered 339 runs in 13 innings, and got a national call-up as well. In 2016 and 2017, he represented the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), and then made his way back to the Royals in 2018.

Samson emerged as the leading run-scorer for the franchise in the 2021 edition, wherein he smashed 484 runs in 14 innings and made his return to the Indian team as well. In the latest interaction, he revealed the story of 2013, where the former Indian batter Rahul Dravid was the captain and supervised the Rajasthan Royals trials as well.

The current Royals captain reckoned that he gave his best in the trials, and impressed Dravid with his shots. He also added that Dravid knew his talent ahead of the trials, and was excited to see Samson.

“One of the most special moments in my life, I batted for two days there [trials], and did not bat like this in my entire life. After hitting every shot, the voice from behind would say, ‘Shot Sanju’, and it was really magic for me. Before the trials, he said to me you have been doing well in the domestic circuit, very much excited to see you,” Samson said on Breakfast with Champions show on YouTube.

During those three to four years I spent with Rahul Dravid, I covered everything: Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson recalled his first few matches for the Royals in 2013, where he batted alongside Dravid. He stated that the former India batter told him to take his time at the crease and then hit the shots. But after seeing his intent, he told Samson to keep going.

“In my first or second match in the season, I came at one down, and Rahul sir was the opener. I knew I had the license to hit, and did it on the very first ball by hooking, which went for four. Then Rahul sir came and said, Sanju take your time, a couple of balls and see what you can do. In the next ball, I again hit a boundary off the bouncer, and then he said, keep going,” Samson said.

Samson further added that Dravid was part of the Delhi Daredevils support staff (as mentor) in the 2016 edition, when he was bought by the franchise. In the end, Samson added that he took all the notes from Dravid’s learnings during 3-4 years with him.

“Then after two years, we moved to Delhi [Daredevils], he was a coach of the team. Along with me, Karun Nair, Shreyas Iyer, Mayank Agarwal, and Rishabh Pant were present. He said to all of us, you will play for the Indian team, and that was special for every youngster. During those three to four years I spent with him, I covered everything,” Samson added.

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